The move taken by Pope Benedict XVI to resign from the papacy was viewed as an unprecedented one, according to some theologian experts, believing it may set the tone for others who follow.

"I think it is an act of great courage on his part because it hasn't happened in 600 years," said Rev. Christopher DeGiovine, dean of Spiritual Life and Chaplain at The College of St. Rose. "It's kind of a watershed moment for modern Catholicism."

Pope Benedict, whose papacy began in 2005, cited health issues as the reason behind his resignation and felt it was a proper time to step down. Bishop Howard Hubbard of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany said the announcement caught him by surprise, but that in and of itself wasn't actually all that surprising.

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"His resignation is the latest in his acts of selfless service on behalf of the Church," Hubbard said in a statement.

Hubbard went on to discuss the pope's message of social justice and his urging of those of the Catholic faith to help those who are less fortunate. Hubbard also discussed the pope's acknowledgement of global warming and the need to combat it.

"No one has come close to what Benedict has said and done in terms of environmental issues and it is something very progressive," said Dr. Peter Ellard, associate vice president for academic affairs at Siena College and director of the Reinhold Niebuhr Institute of Religion and Culture. "Just because of the fact he talked about environmental degradation and the fact he'd bring it up as a moral imperative to act on it."

Father Marion Julian, a priest as St. Anthony of Padua Shrine and Parish in Troy, saw the reign of Pope Benedict as continuing the legacy of Pope John Paul II, who died in 2005.

Still, the pope's eight years in the papacy didn't go without some controversy, as he came in the middle of the scandal involving priests sexually molesting young boys. Julian said his apologies were "prevalent" and realized the problem was not just in America but throughout the world.

Now all eyes are focused on who will be selected as the next pope. Rev. Kenneth Doyle, chancellor for public information for the Albany Diocese and former Vatican reporter for the Catholic News Service, said all information would be speculation as really only the College of Cardinals have a true sense of who will next be appointed pope.

Speculation does point to the possibility of selecting a pope from Latin America or Africa, since a large population of the world's Catholics reside in those areas; Doyle also said age may become a factor.

"I think they may feel having elected Benedict at the age of 78 and seen him serve for several years, they might decide they need a younger candidate," Doyle said.

Julian liked the idea of choosing a pope from a third world country but said he believes the church won't stray too far from its traditional roots. He said he'd like to see the creation of the third Vatican council to hopefully tackle issues such as women being ordained.

Ellard said what will make the election of the new pope unique is the fact the previous pope will still be alive to see a new pope be elected. It would be different but not necessarily a bad thing, Ellard said.

"It's very peculiar," Ellard said. "But it's good to have things a little odd."